Promoting Peace, Nonviolence, Human Rights of the UN Charter–Role of Special Days and Weeks

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, UNITED NATIONS, 27 Jun 2016

Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service

The UN charter, signed on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco, includes abolition of war and nuclear weapons, security of and friendship between nations, promoting peace, human rights, social progress, literacy and education among other aims. To commemorate these objectives the UN also celebrates some weeks and special days for this purpose. Some of the well-known and universally acceptable days are:

1. The United Nations Day on 24 October to celebrate the coming into force of the UN charter on this day in 1945.
2. Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July.
3. World Refugee Day on 20 June. This day has become especially important in the present situation because thousands of people are seeking refuge in Europe and elsewhere as a result of war in Syria and Iraq. TheRohingya people are facing persecution in Myanmar and have been declared stateless, are also seeking refuge in neighboring countries of South Asia.
4. 2nd October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as international day of non-violence. Gandhi is even today recognised as a symbol of peace and non-violence and is an inspiration for peace activists and ordinary people.
5. Day of Peace on 21 September. Many countries are victims of violence and injustice. This day demonstrates how we may reduce conflict and promote justice and peace.

The UN also celebrates other events such as Holocaust Day on 27 January, a dark period in the history of Europe. We also remember the millions of people who died during the WW II on 9th May.

Promotion of the girl child is the focus on 11 October and an international day for promotion of science for girls is on 11 February. Environmental sustainability is an important area that the UN supports through special conferences such as the COP 21 on Climate Change held in Paris in December 2015.

Special days are also devoted to combat other concerns such as a day to prevent desertification and drought (17 June) and a day for the preservation of the ozone layer (16 September). Mother Earth is remembered on 22 April.

There is also a toilet day on 19 November to promote building and use of clean toilets in homes in many poor countries including in India. Since Yoga has become quite popular all over the world because of its beneficial effects on both the body and mind, 21 June is reserved for its promotion. The day was celebrated with enthusiasm in many parts of the world this year.

To promote the languages of its member states, the UN celebrates Chinese Language, Russian language and Arabic Language Days on 20 April, 6 June and 18 December respectively. Even English which has become a lingua franca all over the world is to be promoted on 23 April. One wonders why not celebrate other major languages such as Spanish, Hindi, German or Japanese?

In addition to the many special days the UN also promotes one week each for other areas – week of science and peace in November, a week of Solidarity against Racism in March. One may feel a little puzzled by some other concerns of the UN – world Philosophy Day on 17 November and World day for audiovisual heritage (27 October). How are these days to be celebrated?

It is good that the UN is emphasizing so many important areas of peace, education, environment, health and human rights, etc. But all concerned citizens must also actively support these objectives so that we live in a more just, peaceful and equitable world.

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Dr Ravi P Bhatia – Educationist and Peace Researcher. Retired Professor, Delhi University.  ravipbhatia@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 27 Jun 2016.

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